INDReporter

Three times the charm? B.R. mayor bringing back bond initiative

by Nathan Stubbs

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden will once again bring a bond initiative before parish voters to fund infrastructure improvements in the capital city. Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden will once again bring a bond initiative before parish voters to fund infrastructure improvements in the capital city. The Advocate reports Holden announced at a metro council meeting he intends to put the issue on the ballot next April. "Hopefully, we can keep it like it was before, lean and mean, and address the issues that have been neglected for 50 years," Holden said.

Holden seems bound and determined to pass the initiative despite a less-than-favorable tax climate that has already worked to twice shoot down similar initiatives over the past two years. This time, Holden plans to drop a $250 million riverfront attraction, dubbed "Alive," from the bond issue, reducing the price tag to around $650 million. The bonds will go toward a new public safety complex and parish prison, improved drainage, traffic lights and other needed projects.